Cross-country moves are stressful.

Remember that whole “I’m so zen and I’m going to totally ENJOY this wonderful year of transition for our family….” ?

Yeah, that’s over.

We are 7.5 weeks – I can also calculate this in hours and minutes at any given moment, if you’re interested – from Mike’s job ending. He does not yet have another job lined up; therefore, we do not know where exactly where we’re going. The best we can pinpoint is “eastern Pennsylvania,” but that’s not very specific when you’re trying to line up a moving company and/or rent a home, now is it?

(Better get that guest room ready for us, mom-in-law!)

We are collecting estimates on moving costs. We are scheduling goodbye get-togethers with friends and co-workers. We are visiting all our favorite places “one last time.”

In other words, shit is getting real.

But there is still so much up in the air … and maybe I should ship toys ahead of time so that Ryan has stuff to play with while our stuff trucks across the country … and I just know the movers are going to break my favorite mirror. I just know it.

(Better stock up on the Yuengling, dad-in-law.)

You know who else is stressed? Ryan. Of course, his stress is toddler stress, but trust me, it’s just as potent as adult stress. That darned Sam-I-am will NOT get it through his head – he does not like green eggs and ham!

So, lay it on me. If you’ve moved across the country fairly recently, I need all your best tips. If you’ve moved across the country with a toddler, I need all your best and your mediocre tips.

7 Responses to Cross-country moves are stressful.

I can’t even imagine how stressful such a move would be. I almost cringe just thinking of the potential for us to move after Derek graduates in December (fingers crossed it’s December!)

Just think though, this is such a massive adventure for your family. As sad as I am to see you go (and even sadder that we barely got to spend any time together since meeting!) I am so looking forward to hearing all about the new life you will create in PA. At the end of the day there will always be stress, but only certain types of people can turn it into an adventure – and I know you guys are those types of people.

My sister, her four young children, her husband, and I moved from Western NY State to Utah. It was hectic, stressful, and so many times we wanted to go back. We all found jobs AFTER we arrived here, and we didn’t even know where here was going to be after some last minute (day before the move) bad news. The kids had their electronics (that could play them) and we stopped after 8 hours in the car for the night. It was crazy!

Obviously, I did this 7 years ago, and with way less stuff, but… I would recommend shipping some stuff in advance. Absolutely be sure to claim moving expenses on your taxes next year. Also, I know it’s a logistical nightmare, but I’d sell a lot of stuff. Combine the sales with the money you’d save on moving less across the country might be worth it. Just an idea. I’d also spring for flights to take Ryan to the Walbert’s in advance, but that’s a personal judgement call. Make lists, do things methodically, plan your route and know where you’re going to stay in advance. Don’t know your car situation either, but it might be worth selling one of those too. Either way, let us know if you need anything and good luck!!

Thanks for the advice! I think we are definitely going to ship some stuff ahead of time – at least some of Ryan’s stuff, so that he can be surrounded by some of his things while we wait for the truck to arrive. We’re actually not going to drive our cars – we’re going to ship those, too. So I think what will happen is that one of us will leave a day or two early with Ryan and the other will stay behind to meet the movers and then fly with our cat. So many moving pieces! We can’t wait to be closer to the Fritzes, though!

ABOUT

I'm Meghan. I grew up in Ohio, came of age in Arizona and am now raising a family in Pennsylvania. I'm a freelance writer, an essayist and a stay-at-home mom to our four-year-old biological son and our 3-year-old foster son. I'm told I am too organized and too sarcastic for my own good but I don't see how either is possible.